Raising The Roof

STARKVILLE — All it took was one swing for Mississippi State junior outfielder Kiarra Sells to etch her name into one of the most exclusive clubs in college softball history.

In the first game of State's doubleheader at Northwestern on Saturday, Sells launched a solo shot onto the roof of Welsh-Ryan Arena beyond the outfield fence at Sharon J. Drysdale Field to become just the 12th player in history and only the second visiting player to become a member of Northwestern's Roof Club.

As the ball smacked the roof, her teammates and coaching staff in the Maroon and White erupted.

"I had no idea where it was going. I just saw the pitch was wide and I was like, 'Well, I'm going to hit it,'" Sells said. "I didn't even know where it went. They were like, 'It landed on top of the building.'"

Formed 35 years ago when Northwestern's softball field was first constructed, the Roof Club is an honorary group that includes players who have landed a fair ball home run on the roof of the Wildcats basketball facility in the outfield. Now, the club has introduced its' first member sporting the Maroon and White.

"That was unreal," head coach Samantha Ricketts. "I can't tell you the last time I've seen a ball hit that far. I wish we had data on it because it had to have been every bit of 290 feet. I thought she did a great job looking for a changeup that had kind of given us trouble all game, and she was on time and she did not miss."

Sells was not done making a difference at the plate for the Bulldogs against the Wildcats, however. She also crushed a grand slam in State's 12-2 series-sealing victory just an hour or so later.

Make no mistake about it, Sells' success this season has been well-earned. The junior outfielder patiently waited for her opportunities and spent time playing in the Lone Star Collegiate summer league, which Ricketts credited as a major part of her breakout season.

Sells led the LSCL in home runs and RBIs this summer, which has proved to be just a preview of what was to come this spring. Her two home runs on Saturday raised her total to eight this season, which is tied for the team lead. Sells has secured 30 hits and 27 RBIs, posting her a .337 batting average and .491 on-base percentage in her third year at MSU.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Kiarra Sells

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